Eric Gordon to Point Guard?

Every thread I have seen for the past 3 months seems to have accepted two things as facts:
1) We need to upgrade the point guard position.
2) Eric Gordon is a SG so that position is not one that we should look too hard to upgrade in the draft or free agency.

Well what if we moved EG over to the 1? He has the ball handling skills, the passing ability, and is as good as anyone in the league in the pick and roll. While he would obviously be a scoring point, that doesn't mean he can't distribute. And don't we need more scoring anyway? This move would open up an enormous amount of options. We would be able to draft any of McLemore, Oladipo, or Shabazz without having to worry about clogging the starting rotation. Rivers would have time to develop on the bench and play both the 1 and 2. Having Vasquez on the bench, where most of us feel he belongs, would be perfect, as he is a more than capable backup and would be able to start in case of any Gordon injury. I'm sure there are problems with this move but I feel like it should at least be explored as an option as we move forward with the rebuild.

he's better off with the ball in his hand on offense, but he'd just be an on-ball 2 and we'd have an off-ball 1. so even though he'll run the offense like a 1 he's still technically a 2. similar to Harden with Lin

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Originally Posted by AD23nEG10

he's better off with the ball in his hand on offense, but he'd just be an on-ball 2 and we'd have an off-ball 1. so even though he'll run the offense like a 1 he's still technically a 2. similar to Harden with Lin

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Yea, I get this. But I haven't seen it happen this year with GV taking over a lot of the ball handling duties. I don't buy too much into positions but I guess what I mean with him running the point is just that he would initiate the offense a lot more than he has been.

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Originally Posted by Nola3

Yea, I get this. But I haven't seen it happen this year with GV taking over a lot of the ball handling duties. I don't buy too much into positions but I guess what I mean with him running the point is just that he would initiate the offense a lot more than he has been.

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yeah makes it even stranger is GV is a good couple inches taller than Gordon. Gordon looked explosive and decently polished for the first time all season last game against the Nets IMO so hopefully in the last 18 or so games we'll see some more offense ran through him as he continues to feel comfortable out there

I wish there was a way they could start Gordon and River, so it does not matter which on is point guard.

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Originally Posted by smcgull

I wish there was a way they could start Gordon and River, so it does not matter which on is point guard.

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Eventually!

Monty just addressed this in the Grantland article. Sounds like he's open to it, but Aminu and Vasquez's shooting makes spacing bad.

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Originally Posted by Monty Williams

Williams also acknowledged it’s been hard to find the proper balance between ball-handling duties for Eric Gordon and Greivis Vasquez. During his peak in the middle of the 2010-11 season, Gordon became something very much like a lead ball handler, partnering with Griffin to form a powerful side pick-and-roll combination. A healthy Gordon is obviously a very good shooter, but he’s only 6-3, and coming off screens for catch-and-shoot chances, in Ray Allen- or Rip Hamilton-style, was never a huge part of his game. He looked like a guy who would probably be best with the ball.

Vasquez is really only good with the ball. He has turned himself into a league-average 3-point shooter, but defenses aren’t going to respect him away from the ball. This presents a problem for Williams, especially since his other wing players — his small forwards — are non-threatening from the perimeter. “We try to mix in Eric getting the ball and giving him a lot of freedom,” Williams says. “But because we don’t have great shooting on the wings when Eric has the ball, the other team will just trap him, and that takes him right out of the pick-and-roll. He really spaces the floor for us, and that allows Greivis to penetrate with the ball. If we do things the other way around, we might not be as efficient.”

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http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-tr...-of-marc-gasol

Ive been wanting this, gordon is a little short to play the SG position, he would be perfect for the new NBA's combo scoring PG, he is quick, can shoot, can drive, can pass and defend, plus him and davis on the pick and roll would be great, we could move rivers to our 6th man to get split backup minutes at the 1 and 2 and draft either mclemore or bazz if they are there, maybe even oladipo, then figure out a trade for either a SF or C and address the other position in FA or in the 2nd round
could u imagine gordon at the 1 with either mclemore or bazz at the 2 and sign brewer an budinger for the 3? nasty

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Originally Posted by smcgull

I wish there was a way they could start Gordon and River, so it does not matter which on is point guard.

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The article says they're not enamored of Gordon so maybe he won't even be around.

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Originally Posted by greewe

Monty just addressed this in the Grantland article. Sounds like he's open to it, but Aminu and Vasquez's shooting makes spacing bad.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-tr...-of-marc-gasol

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Ya thats why i dont see either of them here next year, GV will be traded and we will improve our wing positions, center isnt a giant need since lopez is ok and most teams run small ball now, davis could play center a lot of the game w ryno at the 4

gordon and mclemore would be such a devastating back court

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Originally Posted by HunnyB

The article says they're not enamored of Gordon so maybe he won't even be around.

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Thats what im confused about, monty stated a week ago he has confidence in gordon and believes next year will be his WOW year and people will be like "this is what we were expecting" and he would blow everyone away, maybe they meant his production so far? IDK weird, now he is saying he isnt enamored w him, sounds like trouble...

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Thats what im confused about, monty stated a week ago he has confidence in gordon and believes next year will be his WOW year and people will be like "this is what we were expecting" and he would blow everyone away, maybe they meant his production so far? IDK weird, now he is saying he isnt enamored w him, sounds like trouble...

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I guess we should keep in mind though that Monty wasn't actually "quoted" as saying what his feelings on Gordon were.

I think a lot of people like to make assumptions as to how they think the FO feels about Gordon.

How many times is this question going to be asked on here???

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Originally Posted by HunnyB

I guess we should keep in mind though that Monty wasn't actually "quoted" as saying what his feelings on Gordon were.

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Yeah it kind of seems like they are putting words in their mouths which is what i expected after all that trade deadline nonsense. Having said that i would not be surprised with a move if the right one came along. Media tends to come across in a factual way when in reality its speculation. Maybe day tryna sell paypas idk.

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Originally Posted by HunnyB

I guess we should keep in mind though that Monty wasn't actually "quoted" as saying what his feelings on Gordon were.

I think a lot of people like to make assumptions as to how they think the FO feels about Gordon.

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exactly, i don't think in a short conversation with Bill Simmons that Monty is gonna say he isn't enamored with Gordon. He's not that dumb

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Originally Posted by AD23nEG10

exactly, i don't think in a short conversation with Bill Simmons that Monty is gonna say he isn't enamored with Gordon. He's not that dumb

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I think it was Zach Lowe but either way, unless Monty said "Leave this out of print and don't quote me on this but we're not enamored with Gordon", I don't think he'd say anything like that to any media member.

I will go on record and admit that Gordon has a long way to go before he makes a real believer out of me....I am not sure I want to give him an entire season to do it either....

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Originally Posted by ramsters60

I will go on record and admit that Gordon has a long way to go before he makes a real believer out of me....I am not sure I want to give him an entire season to do it either....

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u wont have to, if he isnt performing to what we think he should be by the trade deadline next year he will be gone.

Some have been raving about his ball handling and passing for a 2. Color me unimpressed. It's fine for a 2 and below average for a 1 IMO. Maybe it's still some of the rust he has on him?

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Some have been raving about his ball handling and passing for a 2. Color me unimpressed. It's fine for a 2 and below average for a 1 IMO. Maybe it's still some of the rust he has on him?

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I watched him a lot at Indiana and at least 10 games when he was with the Clippers. He had amazing ball handling skills and saw the floor very well and was able to make almost any pass. He has always preferred to shoot but passing was never an issue. Now, what I've seen this year has not been up to par from what I had seen before. Whether that is rust still coming off or its gone for good because of the injuries I don't know. But I do know that he definitely has the talent to be an above average ball handler and passer.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Some have been raving about his ball handling and passing for a 2. Color me unimpressed. It's fine for a 2 and below average for a 1 IMO. Maybe it's still some of the rust he has on him?

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Na he is a phenominal ball handler and passer, better than GV in both catergories and 10x the defender. He is still working his way back, it wont be overnight.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Na he is a phenominal ball handler and passer, better than GV in both catergories and 10x the defender. He is still working his way back, it wont be overnight.

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Gordon has never been phenominal in a Hornets jersey. I think you are off base in thinking he will ever get back to Gordon 3 years ago.

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Originally Posted by Nola3

I watched him a lot at Indiana and at least 10 games when he was with the Clippers. He had amazing ball handling skills and saw the floor very well and was able to make almost any pass. He has always preferred to shoot but passing was never an issue. Now, what I've seen this year has not been up to par from what I had seen before. Whether that is rust still coming off or its gone for good because of the injuries I don't know. But I do know that he definitely has the talent to be an above average ball handler and passer.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Na he is a phenominal ball handler and passer, better than GV in both catergories and 10x the defender. He is still working his way back, it wont be overnight.

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Agreed with both.

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Originally Posted by Nola3

I watched him a lot at Indiana and at least 10 games when he was with the Clippers. He had amazing ball handling skills and saw the floor very well and was able to make almost any pass. He has always preferred to shoot but passing was never an issue. Now, what I've seen this year has not been up to par from what I had seen before. Whether that is rust still coming off or its gone for good because of the injuries I don't know. But I do know that he definitely has the talent to be an above average ball handler and passer.

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I feel like this is a completely fair assessment. It comes down to, are we living on his reputation and hope he can get back to where he was or who he is today. I personally believe it's somewhere in the middle. Maybe him losing a little explosiveness makes him a better fit for the 1 instead of the 2 now. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer the board can answer.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Na he was a phenominal ball handler and passer, better than GV in both catergories and 10x the defender. He is still working his way back, it wont be overnight.

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FIFY. Also what's your quantitate method to say he's 10xs better? Or just saying that as hyperbole?
I've watched Gordon quite a few times this year and i can tell you currently, he is NOT a phenomenal ball handler or passer, esp if you compare him to a 1. Can he do it? In Flashes, but that's all i've seen from him. I hope he gets back to that, trust me, but we will see.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

I feel like this is a completely fair assessment. It comes down to, are we living on his reputation and hope he can get back to where he was or who he is today. I personally believe it's somewhere in the middle. Maybe him losing a little explosiveness makes him a better fit for the 1 instead of the 2 now. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer the board can answer.



FIFY. Also what's your quantitate method to say he's 10xs better? Or just saying that as hyperbole?
I've watched Gordon quite a few times this year and i can tell you currently, he is NOT a phenomenal ball handler or passer, esp if you compare him to a 1. Can he do it? In Flashes, but that's all i've seen from him. I hope he gets back to that, trust me, but we will see.

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u needa go see his tape from indiana and the clippers, when healthy he is a very good ball handler, he is definetly a better passer than greivis, he is always threading the needle w awesome passes, he is one of the best pick n roll guards in the league and he is 10000x the defender than GV is

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

u needa go see his tape from indiana and the clippers, when healthy he is a very good ball handler, he is definetly a better passer than greivis, he is always threading the needle w awesome passes, he is one of the best pick n roll guards in the league and he is 10000x the defender than GV is

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Read what i wrote above it about reputation versus reality now. I agree about the defensive part, mainly because GV is possibly the worst starting PG defender in the league. Is he really extraordinary now or is your assessment based off of what you've seen in the past? Is EG who he will be forever now, will he go back to the old days, or will he be somewhere in the middle? No one has the answer, but if you made an honest assessment about his play for the hornets this year, there's not way you'd rate him he's top tier in any phase with a straight face. We're on the hook for a lot of money for Gordon, so I hope that he regains his previous form, but i want to be realistic.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Read what i wrote above it about reputation versus reality now. I agree about the defensive part, mainly because GV is possibly the worst starting PG defender in the league. Is he really extraordinary now or is your assessment based off of what you've seen in the past? Is EG who he will be forever now, will he go back to the old days, or will he be somewhere in the middle? No one has the answer, but if you made an honest assessment about his play for the hornets this year, there's not way you'd rate him he's top tier in any phase with a straight face. We're on the hook for a lot of money for Gordon, so I hope that he regains his previous form, but i want to be realistic.

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there is no way to tell yet and we are stuck with gordon for another year anyway because of his no trade clause, we will see, and if not then we will trade him.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

u needa go see his tape from indiana and the clippers, when healthy he is a very good ball handler, he is definetly a better passer than greivis, he is always threading the needle w awesome passes, he is one of the best pick n roll guards in the league and he is 10000x the defender than GV is

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But you are assuming that Gordon will be as good as he was 3 years ago.
Not saying he won't, but its a business and they aren't going to wait past the trade deadline nest season.....trust me.

You know what happens when you assume dont you?

You make an *** out of U and ME :hihi:

Love that one!

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

there is no way to tell yet and we are stuck with gordon for another year anyway because of his no trade clause, we will see, and if not then we will trade him.

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Gordon can be traded this summer.

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Originally Posted by AUSSIE_PELICAN

But you are assuming that Gordon will be as good as he was 3 years ago.
Not saying he won't, but its a business and they aren't going to wait past the trade deadline nest season.....trust me.

You know what happens when you assume dont you?

You make an *** out of U and ME :hihi:

Love that one!

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Well im strictly making the same assumption the front office is, they would not have given gordon a max deal if they didnt think he would return to his old ways, now am I saying he will? no, but is that the plan for now? without a doubt yes.

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Originally Posted by HunnyB

Gordon can be traded this summer.

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Ya i know but i still believe they will give him one more year, well half a year until next years trade deadline.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

there is no way to tell yet and we are stuck with gordon for another year anyway because of his no trade clause, we will see, and if not then we will trade him.

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If we trade gordon this summer or at midseason, I fear the return will be less than stellar. It's not like he's tearing the league up. Still isn't playing in back to backs. The only way i can foresee us trading him is from a few things:

1. They've lost all hope for him and are willing to trade him for a bag of chips.
2. He blows it up next half season.
3. We draft McLemore and just say it's time to move on and we take a bag of chips for him.

Just because we want to trade for him, doesn't mean there's a suitable partner. Gordon's contract is not very good and the new lux cap figures start next year. If trading were so easy, why wasn't Josh Smith traded this trade DL? they know they're losing him no matter what. I just think they "we'll just trade him scenario" is a little harder than it's thrown out to be.

See, you are saying that the "reality" is that Gordon isn't a great ball handler right now. While that may be true, the true reality is that he has been away from basketball for the past year and a half, and it takes time to build that skill up again. Monty and Gordon both attested to the fact that he is rust. It is what it is... They also both expect a breakout season next year, and I expect the same.

So, Gordon isn't sharp right now, and that's a fact or reality or whatever you want to call it. However, that should be temporary because he has exhibited elite skill in the past. It just takes time to refine his game again.

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Originally Posted by HunnyB

Gordon can be traded this summer.

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And what happens draft day will influence that imo. Mclemore or Oladipo, and bye bye Eric.

worst comes to worst and gordon doesnt come back to his old form and we cant get equal trade value atleast we will get out of his max contract allowing us to get good free agents

"Expect" "should" none of this "is" is what I'm saying. Everything about Gordon is pinned on hope of what he was and what he should be and what they expect him to get back to. I think we're saying the same thing but you expect him to get back to what he was, I expect a better form than he is today but less than he was before.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

"Expect" "should" none of this "is" is what I'm saying. Everything about Gordon is pinned on hope of what he was and what he should be and what they expect him to get back to. I think we're saying the same thing but you expect him to get back to what he was, I expect a better form than he is today but less than he was before.

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I'd be ok with the Eric Gordon that showed up the very last game we played. :tongue2:

Also the your " true reality" (as if your reality is more meaningful or right than mine lol) doesn't divert from the "reality" that he's not a great ball handler today. There can be more than one fact in reality, they're not mutually exclusive.- Because Gordon has missed a year and a half he is not as good of a ball handler as he used to be.- this statement says the same thing were both saying and includes whatever your "true reality" and what my "reality " is. But that doesn't mean he will ever be as good as he once was. As I said before its nothing anyone can claim to answer, that's for the future.

gordon is looking better and better as the season goes on, if he stays healthy and has an offseason i think he will be very good, if not, goodbye.

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Originally Posted by Purple Haze

And what happens draft day will influence that imo. Mclemore or Oladipo, and bye bye Eric.

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This was the main reason I made this thread though. Would it be a good move to move EG over and have him play in the backcourt with one of these two, or even Shabazz? Or would it be better to trade him and get 30-60 cents on the dollar?

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Originally Posted by Nola3

This was the main reason I made this thread though. Would it be a good move to move EG over and have him play in the backcourt with one of these two, or even Shabazz? Or would it be better to trade him and get 30-60 cents on the dollar?

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I don't see anything that makes me think Gordon can play the PG position for 30+ minutes a night. I can see 10-12 minutes to close the last 3-4 minutes of a quarter/half.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

"Expect" "should" none of this "is" is what I'm saying. Everything about Gordon is pinned on hope of what he was and what he should be and what they expect him to get back to. I think we're saying the same thing but you expect him to get back to what he was, I expect a better form than he is today but less than he was before.

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It is "expected" that Davis "should" become a superstar. We can't be sure though.

I would agree with your point if we were talking about Gordon's explosion or athleticism, but we're talking about dribbling - a skill that even the worst knee injury should effect. Gordon is rust. It is what it is. It's not like a knee injury (which he looks pretty darn explosive right now) is going to keep him from regaining his dribbling skills. That just comes back with more time on the court.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Also the your " true reality" (as if your reality is more meaningful or right than mine lol) doesn't divert from the "reality" that he's not a great ball handler today. There can be more than one fact in reality, they're not mutually exclusive.- Because Gordon has missed a year and a half he is not as good of a ball handler as he used to be.- this statement says the same thing were both saying and includes whatever your "true reality" and what my "reality " is. But that doesn't mean he will ever be as good as he once was. As I said before its nothing anyone can claim to answer, that's for the future.

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Ha I'm not saying my reality is better than yours or whatever. I'm just saying that the basis for your argument isn't solid. It's not real. You are saying that Gordon's knee injury is effecting his dribbling ability, and I'm telling you that you are wrong. It's the fact that he has been off the court for a year and a half that is effecting his dribbling ability.

And I'm not trying to play this game, but Monty agrees with me.

This team as constructed needs a true PG or at least a pass first PG. A guy looking to get his the majority, of the time works if you have a legitimate scoring option other than the ball handler. You want scorers like Gordon to focus on scoring and not having to bother with making sure his teammates are involved.

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

This team as constructed needs a true PG or at least a pass first PG. A guy looking to get his the majority, of the time works if you have a legitimate scoring option other than the ball handler. You want scorers like Gordon to focus on scoring and not having to bother with making sure his teammates are involved.

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Okc..bulls..spurs..warriors...cavs....all disagree

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Originally Posted by kclaboy504

Okc..bulls..spurs..warriors...cavs....all disagree

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Did you not see the part where he said "this team as constructed " do you think we're at all constructed like any of the teams you named ?

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

It is "expected" that Davis "should" become a superstar. We can't be sure though.

I would agree with your point if we were talking about Gordon's explosion or athleticism, but we're talking about dribbling - a skill that even the worst knee injury should effect. Gordon is rust. It is what it is. It's not like a knee injury (which he looks pretty darn explosive right now) is going to keep him from regaining his dribbling skills. That just comes back with more time on the court.

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

Ha I'm not saying my reality is better than yours or whatever.

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Yes you were saying that. This is why you put the word "true" in front of reality. Putting my reality in quotes then denoting "true" in front of what you perceive to be correct proves this. Don't backpedal on that. This is one of the reasons i don't argue with you. You think that what you perceive is always absolute.

[QUOTE=nolaslim213;1051942]I'm just saying that the basis for your argument isn't solid. It's not real. [QUOTE]

The Basis for my argument, as stated 3 to 4 times on this thread is as follows: What Gordon was versus what he is today is not the same. That's it. What's not solid about that? I also stated that I personally don't believe he will get back to what he was. There's nothing not solid about it. It's a prediction based off of what I saw in the past and what i see now. Your prediction is based on what you was in the past . I also said that he had good ball handling for a 2 currently.

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

You are saying that Gordon's knee injury is effecting his dribbling ability, and I'm telling you that you are wrong. It's the fact that he has been off the court for a year and a half that is effecting his dribbling ability.

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Wrong. I never said that once. Maybe in "true reality" i said that, but in "reality" I did not. I've said the same thing you, and others have said in the thread: (see below)That due to not playing his ball handling is not what it has been. We diverge in the fact that you think it will come back and i think it'll be somewhere in the middle of what it was and what it is now.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Maybe it's still some of the rust he has on him?

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

It comes down to, are we living on his reputation and hope he can get back to where he was or who he is today. I personally believe it's somewhere in the middle.

I've watched Gordon quite a few times this year and i can tell you currently, he is NOT a phenomenal ball handler or passer, esp if you compare him to a 1. Can he do it? In Flashes, but that's all i've seen from him. I hope he gets back to that, trust me, but we will see.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Everything about Gordon is pinned on hope of what he was and what he should be and what they expect him to get back to. I think we're saying the same thing but you expect him to get back to what he was, I expect a better form than he is today but less than he was before.

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

And I'm not trying to play this game, but Monty agrees with me.

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Yes you are, or you wouldn't have played it. You're not above it because you did it, so don't pretend.

*sigh*

Why fit a square peg in a round hole if we don't have to?